The AKC National Championship – History in the Making
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By Amy Fernandez
Photos by Amber Jade
A comprehensive engagement with purebred dogs has always been the core concept of this sport. We want to show them off, admire them, study them, reward them and preach our devotion to the world. The perennial problem has been devising some realistic, contextual platform for this grand idea. I don’t think I’m overstating the case to say that this ongoing vision inspired the AKC National Championship. Likewise, there’s no denying the fact that it has endured a really bumpy road.
Currently known as the AKC National Championship presnted by Royal Canin, the idea actually originated way back in 1926. As explained by John Marvin in the AKC Sourcebook, “AKC felt that the dog fancy should participate in the national celebration of the nation’s sesquicentennial (1776-1926).” The inelegantly named Sesquicentennial Show (or The Sesqui) took place from September 30 through October 2 in Philadelphia. Held under the recently enacted AKC rules, it was a groundbreaker for several reasons. “The venue was then the largest ever to house a canine exhibition.”
Five newly introduced, clearly delineated groups permitted micromanaged judging procedure by a panel of 31 A-list experts. The trophies and prizes- featuring plenty of cold, hard cash- were over the top, making news in their own right far beyond the sport. Say what you will about monetary incentives, but it worked. The entry, a whopping 2899 dogs, confirmed that fact beyond a doubt at a time when most shows were lucky to draw 200-300 dogs.
Although that show was wildly successful, it was considered a one-off for several reasons. First of all, there was the inescapable ethical question of the organization charged with oversight and leadership hosting its own event. That sort of self-policing invites all kinds of suspicion about impropriety. Moreover, AKC had way bigger worries managing its primary job of sorting and regulating America’s growing purebred dog game. They were lucky to keep a lid on that drama without taking on any side projects. Still, everyone reminisced about that great show in Philly. So, in 1984, to commemorate AKC’s centennial, they again ventured into this controversial realm.
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Posted by AnthonyA
on Feb 25 2021. Filed under Current Articles, Featured.
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